Paedophile who sexually abused children.

Paedophile Jailed for 21 Years After Victims Come Forward

Joseph Stewart has been convicted following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court and sentenced to 21 years in prison for sexually abusing children.

Stewart abused one of the victims in the early 2000s, and the other after 2010. Both victims, who were young children at the time, realized the abuse as adults and reported it to Northumbria Police.

Officers swiftly launched an investigation and arrested Stewart. The 56-year-old initially denied the attacks but was charged with five counts of indecent assault, one count of indecency with a child, one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, and one count of sexual activity with a child.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges but was found guilty following a trial in July and remanded in custody. At a subsequent hearing, Stewart, formerly of Newcastle but recently of Albion Gardens, Burnopfield, County Durham, was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

In addition to the prison sentence, Stewart was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, sex offender registration, and a restraining order.